What Future Automation does

Future Automation is a privately held UK-headquartered (Bedford) engineering company that designs, fabricates, and assembles motorised mechanisms used to conceal and reveal AV displays in high-end residential, commercial, and marine environments. Its product portfolio spans TV lifts (LSM, LSM-S, I-LSM, I-LSM-S), in-floor lifts (PLF), articulated wall mounts (PS32 through PS80-CUSTOM), the motorised QA2 quad arm, the SPS sliding panel system, MDM-SPLIT moving doors, the UniChannel shade pocket system, Lutron-compatible LCP DIN rail enclosures, the RTE rack termination enclosure, and a broad accessory family (WB/UB wall boxes, shade brackets, speaker mounts). All mechanisms are produced in-house at Bedford and a Dover, New Hampshire facility, with documented CAD/PDF technical packs and a Made in Britain mark.

The company's products are sold exclusively through a handpicked authorised dealer network of AV integrators (Circle Automation, Henri, NV Integration, Crescendo Designs, Perfect Integration, FutureHome Systems), with dedicated regional distribution in France via Pilote Films. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; purchase enquiries route through dealers or the company directly, with bespoke engineering available for unique architectural projects (e.g. 32,000 sq ft French villa, Knightsbridge period cabinetry, Big Sur octagonal granite floor lift). The product family supports integration with Crestron, AMX, Lutron Homeworks QS/Athena, Philips Dynalite, and Somfy, and includes brand-specific speaker mounts for Sonos Arc, Sonos Beam, and B&O Beosound Stage.

Revenue mechanics are anchored by unit sales of standard SKUs, custom-bespoke project work, and ecosystem-driven accessory sales (shade brackets, wall boxes, speaker mounts). The company is led by founder and managing director Alun Williams, with Ollie French (Commercial Director) and Rob Luxton (Sales). It has held the #1 ranking in the CEPro Top 100 Brand Analysis "Lift" category for five consecutive years through 2022, with over 59% of integrator respondents choosing FA lifting products; multiple CEDIA awards (2017, 2019, 2023 Best of Show for UniChannel) further validate its category positioning.

Name

Future Automation

Legal name

Future Automation

Website

https://futureautomation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Future Automation is a privately held UK and US manufacturer of motorised TV lifts, sliding panels, articulated mounts, and Lutron-compatible AV enclosures, sold exclusively through a curated authorised dealer network serving luxury residential, commercial, and marine AV integration projects worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bedford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Motorised Display Mechanisms and Mounts: The company designs, manufactures, and sells a comprehensive range of motorised display concealment mechanisms including TV lifts, sliding panel systems, articulated wall mounts, ceiling mounts, floor/table mounts, and projector mounts. Products are sold exclusively through authorised dealers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Future Automation designs, fabricates, and assembles motorised mechanisms that conceal and reveal AV displays, including TV lifts, inverted ceiling lifts, in-floor lifts, sliding panel systems, articulated TV wall mounts, quad arm motorised mounts, ceiling/floor/table mounts, projector mounts, DIN rail lighting enclosures, and shade bracket systems. All products are engineered in-house in the UK and USA and sold exclusively through a handpicked authorised dealer network that serves luxury residential, commercial, and marine AV integration projects worldwide.

Product overview

Future Automation is an internationally established engineering company specializing in mechanisms that conceal and reveal displays in smart homes, commercial spaces, and marine applications. The product portfolio includes TV lifts (LSM, LSM-S, I-LSM, I-LSM-S series), articulated TV wall mounts (PS series from PS32 to PS80-CUSTOM), motorised moving panel systems (SPS range with vertical, horizontal, and split configurations, many featuring Quad Arm articulation), shade brackets and UniChannel systems, DIN rail enclosures (LCP for Lutron, IWRE, LXN/KNX), rack termination enclosures (RTE), and in-wall mounting solutions (WB, WB80, UB). The company designs and manufactures all mechanisms in-house in Britain and USA, offering both standard product ranges and bespoke solutions for complex projects. Their products integrate with major home automation systems including Lutron, Crestron, AMX, and support control via RS232, contact closure, IR, and RF protocols.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 59% of integrator respondents in CEPro Top 100 Brand Analysis chose Future Automation lifting products (2022)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, approved dealer and distribution partner.

• LutroncoreTechnology or IntegrationFuture Automation's LCP (Lighting Control Panel) enclosures are specifically designed to pair with the Lutron Homeworks QS and Athena ranges. The LCP incorporates the internationally recognised DIN rail system and was developed in close collaboration with Lutron installers. Lutron-compatible shade brackets are also part of the product range, including SB-L64 and SB-L100 series height adjustable brackets designed for Lutron Roller 64 and 100 shade systems.
• Circle Automationapproved dealerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCircle Automation is an approved Future Automation dealer based in Sevenoaks, Kent, UK. They design and install discreet audio-visual, smart home and home technology solutions. Circle Automation has installed numerous Future Automation products including 15 TVs with various brackets and mounts, and a bespoke IP-rated outdoor floor mount for a luxury Kent residence.
• Henri (Paris, France)approved dealerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHenri is an approved Future Automation dealer based in Paris, France. They integrate electrical and electronic technologies in luxury renovation and new construction projects. Henri specifies Future Automation products regularly across multiple projects including a 32,000 sq/ft Villa Grand Prix House. They have their own internal engineering department and work closely with Future Automation's French distribution partner Pilote Films.
• NV Integration (London, UK)approved dealerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNV Integration is an approved Future Automation dealer based in London, UK. They design and install bespoke home automation and cinema systems for the luxury residential market. The Siam Smart House project in Thailand installed multiple Future Automation MDM-SPLIT and SPS moving panel mechanisms and won the CEDIA 'Best Integrated Home over £360,000' award in 2017.
• Crescendo Designs (New York, USA)approved dealerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrescendo Designs is an approved Future Automation dealer based in New York, USA. They pair the best in high-end technology with the art of great interiors for ultimate lifestyle experiences. They installed a bespoke Future Automation mechanism for a motorised projector system in a luxury Central Park apartment.
• Pilote Films (France)distribution partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPilote Films is Future Automation's French distribution partner, working closely with approved French dealers including Henri. They facilitate the distribution of Future Automation products throughout France.
• Perfect Integrationapproved dealerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerfect Integration is an approved Future Automation dealer featured in multiple case studies including projects in Monaco Villa, The Clarges, Park Crescent, and Buckinghamshire Family Home. They have installed Future Automation LSM lifts, SPS sliding panels, and various wall mounts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Chief (Legrand AV): Major commercial AV mounting brand owned by Legrand. Comparable as a broad incumbent in display mounting and rack solutions with a much larger dealer footprint; potential future entrant into the motorised concealment category that FA dominates.
• Vogel's: European display mounting specialist with global distribution. Comparable on articulated and fixed wall mounts; primarily competing with FA in the wall-mount category rather than the motorised lift niche.
• Control4 (Snap One): Smart home automation platform owned by Snap One, widely specified by CI integrators. Comparable as a smart-home ecosystem partner and a broader competitor for CI mind-share in luxury residential projects where FA mechanisms are specified.
• Crestron Electronics: Major home/building automation and control system manufacturer. FA explicitly integrates with Crestron via RS232/contact closure; Crestron represents both a key integration partner and a potential competitor if it expands into bundled concealment hardware.
• Sanus: Large consumer/professional TV mount brand with broad retail and CI distribution. Direct overlap on wall mounts (where FA has 44% integrator preference); adjacent but not yet a major motorised concealment competitor.

Others

• Lutron Electronics: Lighting and shading control leader. Strategic integration partner for FA (LCP enclosures pair with Lutron Homeworks QS/Athena; shade brackets integrate with Lutron shades) and adjacent ecosystem participant in the same luxury CI projects; could be viewed as a potential acquirer given the depth of integration.

Direct peers

• TVLift Cabinet: Specialist manufacturer of motorised TV lift cabinets and concealment furniture for residential AV. Comparable on the lift-mechanism side and on the bespoke/integration story, though with a more cabinet-focused go-to-market.
• Nexus 21: US-based manufacturer of motorised TV lifts, concealment systems and automated mounting solutions for residential and commercial AV. Most direct comparable to Future Automation's core TV lift and concealed display business, competing head-to-head in the CI channel.
• Auton: Long-established US maker of motorised TV lifts, projector lifts and pop-up mechanisms. Closely comparable product line (motorised concealment for AV equipment) and overlapping customer base of CI integrators and luxury residential.

Regional players

• Future Sound & Security / Niko: European home automation and switch/socket manufacturer with adjacent AV integration capability. Comparable as a regional smart-home ecosystem player that overlaps with FA's integration story (Lutron/control processor compatibility), particularly in the Benelux/European market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/automatedtv

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Future Automation